Ilocos Norte set to become first to attain HPV Vaccination WHO standard

 

Ilocos Norte leads the way toward cervical cancer elimination, nearing 90% HPV vaccination coverage among young girls, a milestone that brings the Philippines closer to a cervical cancer-free future.

Laoag City—Ilocos Norte is on its way to becoming the first province in the Philippines to achieve 90-percent vaccination coverage among young girls in public schools against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is the cause of cervical cancer.  The province’s goal is aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target to fully vaccinated 90% of girls against HPV by age 15, to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

Ilocos Norte’s ambition was highlighted during the Department of Health’s (DOH) national launch of the Bakuna Eskwela Campaign in Balatong Integrated School in Laoag City on September 30, 2025. This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed in his recent State of the Nation Address, that cancer prevention through HPV vaccination, is one of his health priorities.

Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Asec. Ana Remigio said, “With the support of all Municipal Health Officers in the entire province of Ilocos Norte, we shall see this beautiful province as the first province in the nation to achieve more than 90% of HPV vaccination coverage. With our collective action we can make preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and Humanpapilloma virus a thing of the past.”

On behalf of the president, Remigio emphasized the administration’s commitment to safeguarding children’s health. “We are determined to prevent diseases that can hinder the growth of our youth and their way to realizing their full potential,” she added.

 

Ilocos Norte setting national healthcare history

The province’s HPV vaccination ambition is already supported by Ilocos Norte’s recent achievements, with its capital Laoag City vaccinating 2,642 schoolgirls with the 4-valent HPV vaccine achieving a record-high 96% coverage among 9-14 years old last September.

“This is more than statistics. It is a testament to the city’s commitment and a powerful inspiration for the entire nation. This is our momentum. We are showing the nation that our targets are not impossible. They are within our reach,” DOH Usec. Glenn Mathew Baggao said.

In 2024, the municipality of Banna, Ilocos Norte, became the first municipality in the country to achieve the 90% HPV vaccination record vaccinating 846 schoolgirls with the 4-valent HPV vaccine from the DOH. Last August, as a supplemental activity, Banna procured 4-valent HPV vaccines from its own local health budget and administered “catch-up” vaccinations for young girls ages 15-26 who are not eligible to receive free HPV vaccines from DOH.

The Marcos administration highlights the importance of cancer prevention among women, in the context of preventable ones like Cervical Cancer through vaccination and screening; and Breast Cancer through early detection and treatment—strategies that outweigh the cost of advanced disease, or cost in families who may have to deal with premature death due to cancer.

Shield against preventable diseases

Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1^st district) also expressed support for the province’s vaccination goals, stressing the importance of prevention over cure.

“Prevention is always better than cure—and that is why the Bakuna Eskwela campaign is so important. By prioritizing school-based immunization, we are taking help directly to where our children are. Every vaccine given to our child is a promise of safety, a shield against preventable diseases and step towards a healthier Philippines,” Marcos said in his message.

Through the support of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center, the HPV vaccination was complemented with on-site cervical-cancer screening for the parents of the students.

For his part, Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid has reaffirmed the city’s commitment to public health. “This is a significant milestone for our quest in ensuring the health and wellness of our children. Vaccination programs play a crucial role in promoting public health. We protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” Alcid said.

With Laoag City and Banna already reaching the WHO vaccination target for HPV, DOH officials looking forward that Ilocos Norte will soon become the country’s first province to surpass the 90% HPV vaccination benchmark— bringing the Philippines closer to cervical cancer free future. (LGA)